AJA Video Systems is introducing FS8, a video and audio processor that bridges SDI and IP infrastructures in broadcast, production, and proAV. Building on AJA’s FS frame sync line, FS8 powers up to eight channels of HD or four channels of UltraHD image processing, including frame sync, up/down/cross conversion, and IP gateway functionality. The 1RU solution features an intuitive, node-based web UI and wide-ranging connectivity, including 12G-SDI, ST 2110, Dante, and MADI, offering modernized tools that streamline productions. FS8 will be on display at IBC in Amsterdam September 11-14 at the RAI, stand 7.B25.
“With IP video adoption growing across industries, having flexible video and audio support is more essential than ever for media companies balancing legacy infrastructure with the buildout of next-gen workflows. We designed FS8 as a powerhouse for delivering consistent, frame-synced HDR and SDR pictures from mixed sources,” says AJA President Nick Rashby. “FS8 is our first frame sync to support ST 2110, but it does so much more. It’s a Swiss-army knife solution for common production headaches, from navigating mismatched framerates, rasters, and color spaces, to mono audio routing and management, and more.”
Among FS8’s standout features are its modern connectivity and high-density processing, designed to provide more flexibility. Up to 16x 12G-SDI inputs and 8x HD or 4x UHD ST 2110-20 inputs feed 8x HD or 4x UHD video processors, reducing the need for additional equipment for space, power, and weight savings. Support for embedded SDI, ST 2110-30, Dante, and MADI audio creates a 459x448 mono audio matrix, for moreo cost-effective audio grooming, from routing and conversion to level adjustment, delay, and sample rate conversion.
Configurable video and audio delay enables delay of up to 60 frames in HD, 30 in UltraHD, and up to 2.5 seconds of audio. Ultra-low latency is also possible, with less than half of a video frame of latency for demanding live applications. UltraHD region of interest scaling; color correction, proc amp, and 3D LUT processing; precise SDR/HDR color management through an optional Colorfront license; and a deep ST 2110 troubleshooting toolset, are also integrated. Support for a publicly available RESTful API described by OpenAPI enables the creation of custom-built control interfaces and the use of third-party integrations currently in development from Cyanview, Pomfort, and Skaarhoj.
All features are accessible through FS8’s 1RU frame and browser-based web UI. The web UI’s interactive, node-based processing pipeline, video preview, audio meters, system and component-level preset recall, status monitoring, and more, are made to simplify FS8 setup and control. FS8’s front-panel color LCD supports moving video and audio meters and enhances confidence monitoring with additional insight into the status of inputs, outputs, and video processors.
AJA listing of key FS8 feature highlights:
- UltraHD and HD Vid Proc Modes, allowing the mix and match of up to four channels of 4K/UltraHD or up to eight channels of 2K/HD frame sync, processing, and IP gateway functionality – including HDR conversions
- Expansive video I/O options, including 12G-SDI over coax and fiber and ST 2110-20 w/ST 2022-7 redundancy with audio disembedding and embedding
- Audio I/O options, including Dante, MADI, ST 2110-30, and embedded SDI audio, with each audio input offering sample rate conversion and every I/O offering delay, level, phase adjustment, creating a 459 x 448 matrix of audio processing
- Flexible HDR and SDR color transforms for dynamic range and wide color gamut conversion, with each video processor able to independently select from integrated NBCU, User 3D LUT, or Dynamic LUT Modes, or licensable Colorfront and BBC HLG LUT Modes
- 33-point 3D LUT processors with tetrahedral interpolation
- 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD video processing and up, down, cross-conversion
- Configurable HDR metadata for output SDI VPID and ST 2110 SDP
- Test signal generator, including SDR and HDR test patterns, moving box, custom text overlay per video processor, and audio tone generators per mono audio channel output
- Region of Interest (ROI) scaling and positioning
- Motion adaptive deinterlacer
- Up to 60 frames of configurable video delay in HD, 30 frames in UHD and 2.5 seconds of configurable audio delay
- Ultra-low latency video processing mode, less than half of a video frame
- Simple frame rate conversion
- Configurable analog reference output
- Ancillary data grooming
- Intuitive input and output routing matrix controls
- System and component-level presets
- Four audio down mixers, from 5.1 or 7.1 surround to stereo
- AJA’s five-year warranty and technical support with no contracts, recurring software maintenance fees, or ongoing feature subscriptions required to access core functionality
Pricing and Availability AJA FS8 will be available through AJA’s worldwide network of resellers for $14,995 US MSRP, with optional licenses for Colorfront Engine and BBC HLG LUTs running $1,995 and $295 respectively. For a complete overview of FS8’s full capabilities, connectivity, and IP features, visit www.aja.com/products/fs8.
